Northwind Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Plant Family: Poaceae
Plant Description: An ornamental grass that works as an alluring accent plant or specimen piece, but also creates a beautiful border or back drop when planted in mass grouping. The form is strictly upright and compact. The foliage is an olive green to blue green that contrasts beautifully with the soft yellow panicles of blossoms which come in abundance in the fall. They still look attractive when dried and can offer winter interest. The seeds are eaten by a variety of birds. The species is native from Utah to the east coast.
Maintenance:
Maintenance Type: Ornamental Grass - Medium
Plant Care: Ornamental Grass - Medium (showy non-turf grasses that go dormant in winter, 3-6' tall): Use hand pruners or hedger to cut and remove 2/3 of the total grass height. Trim edges. For warm season grasses (more common), this is best done in late winter to early spring. For cool season grasses apply the same maintenance practices in the late fall, once the plant is dormant.
Plant Attributes:
Mature Size: 4-6' tall x 2-2.5' wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Foundation Plant, Perimeter Plant
Foliage Interest: Unknown
Foliage Colors: Blue-green, Gray-green
Bloom Colors: Yellow
Bloom Seasons: Summer
Bloom Period: Jul - Aug
Growing Conditions:
Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun), Part Shade (4-6 hrs morning sun), Part Sun (4-6 hrs afternoon sun)
Irrigation Requirement: 
Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)
Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)
Salt Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: Yes
Garden Location:
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Localscapes Path
- Paths and Pollinators
Garden Staff Tips & Insights:
This grass works well in rain gardens as it tolerates both wet and dry soil.
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Spring -
Summer -
Fall -
Winter
